Weighted Shoe

ABSTRACT

An improved athletic or therapeutic footwear device having a group of two ridges separated by an arch in the sole there between. The footwear has either of two configurations: a staggered or partial sole cavity config or a uniform or transverse configuration. The staggered or partial sole configuration has cavities in alternating sides of the shoe sole down the ridge group. The uniform or transverse configuration has a proximal cavity near each ridge that passes from one side to another of all ridges thereby permitting maximum loading of weights or dummy plugs therein. A closing device ensures that weights or dummy plugs won&#39;t accidentally exit the cavities.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to athletic or everyday footwearstructured to provide not only comfortable support for the soles of thefeet and the rest of this lower extremity but also exercise and trainingcharacteristics. More particularly, the invention is directed toweighted shoes that are used in physical therapy developing a footsmusculature as well as a legs' thereby acting to strengthen, tone andexercise the aforementioned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Footwear

There are various types of footwear or shoes that give support andcomfort to one's feet. Amongst these are athletic, boot, dress andcasual men's and women's, unisex, dance, orthopedic and more.Additionally, there are various niche types of shoes intended forfashion or extremely specific arenas such as skiing or mountaineering.All of these are typically constructed from basic materials such asleather, canvas, rubber, plastics, petro-chemically derived materialsand even wood. Whilst these have a diverse set of materials in order toconstruct one, the typical shoe still comes in a specific typical groupof elements.

These are the sole, the insole, the outsole, the midsole, the heel, theupper, the vamp, the medial and the toe box. The sole comes in a groupof three elements: the insole, the outsole and the midsole. The insolefalls underneath the foot whilst the outsole is that part of the solethat makes contact with the ground. The midsole falls between the insoleand the outsole and provides shock absorption characteristics. The heelas its name implies supports the lower back of the foot whilst the upperhelps hold the foot in the shoe. Starting at the toe box that covers thetoes, the vamp starts thereafter starting behind the toe, extendingaround the eyelets and tongue and towards back part of the shoe. Themedial is of course the part that is in the center part of the shoewhilst the tongue is an optional component that helps keep the lacesbraced with the eyelets or hooks. All of these are well known componentsthat are each optional depending on the type of shoe one isconstructing.

Athletic Footwear

Further, proper materials and design provide for various types ofathletic footwear. Shoes for tennis, running, golf, football, soccer,bowling and various other sports have been designed with the end user inmind. Many improvements in runners' shoes have given todays athleteuntold comfort. Novelties such as rubber waffle soles, breathable uppersmade from materials such as nylon, and shock absorbing cushioning in themid-sole and heel have taken shoes into the space era. Finally, severaldecades ago medical professionals were enlisted in assisting to designshoes that would be based upon the most up to date knowledge ofphysiology. Thus, podiatrists help create features that were based upontheir knowledge of how feet react to specific movements. They did thisby studying a foot's response to typical actions such as running,jumping, or side-to-side movements.

Their input led to a well rounded ergonomic shoe design that providedboth support and comfort to wearers. Specific sports were also studiedfor the reaction of feet to adverse conditions unique to the eventstherein; in this fashion shoes were developed that directly targeted theunique needs of the sports therein. For example, the needs of soccerwould be different to that of golf and so forth. In exercising themuscles of the leg for training, a weighted type of shoe was developedwhereby the entire bottom of the sole of the shoe was made from a heavymaterial so as to help an athlete exercise.

Whilst this type of shoe assists users in training and exercising themuscles of the lower extremities it has deficiencies. In particular, thesole being a single solid piece is too rigid to support the variablenature of a moving foot that contracts, expands, slides forwards,backwards and side to side. This has the unfortunate effect of tiringone's foot. Additionally, since the sole is a flat piece it can notadhere well to any surface thereby providing little if any traction tothe ground surface and possibly encouraging a fall. This can not besomething that an athlete in training or a patient in rehabilitationwould want to happen.

Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the cited deficiencies andprovide a user with a safe, athletically robust and aestheticallypleasing novel footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art andthe problems that remain unsolved by providing an improved footweardevice.

An athletic footwear comprising:

-   -   a shoe having side material and front and back materials        integrated along edges thereof with    -   a sole such that the sole has        -   a set of two groups of ridges wherein each ridge in a group            is separated from another ridge in the group by a depression            there between and    -   a ridge has a proximal cavity.

In another aspect, wherein the ridge's proximal cavity perforates fromone side of the sole to the other side of the sole.

In another aspect, wherein the ridge's proximal cavity has an opening ononly one side of the ridge.

In another aspect, wherein the ridge's proximal cavity has two openingsone on a side of the sole and another on another side of the sole.

In another aspect, wherein the ridge extends from one side of the shoeto another side of the shoe.

In another aspect, wherein the ridge extends from one side of the shoeto a midpoint of the shoe.

In another aspect, a slab of weight for insertion in a proximal cavityof the ridge such that the slab is completely enclosed inside theproximal cavity thereof.

In another aspect, a slab of dummy material for insertion in a proximalcavity of the ridge such that the slab is completely enclosed inside thecavity thereof.

In another aspect, wherein the set of two ridges are further subdividedby being broken in the midpoint of the sole thereby forming a right anda left pair of forward ridges and a right and left pair of backwardridges.

In another aspect, wherein the ridges each have a proximal cavitynearby.

In another aspect, wherein only some of the ridges have a proximalcavity nearby.

In another aspect, a cavity closing device attached to the shoe.

An exercise shoe comprising:

-   -   a shoe having side material and front and back materials        integrated along edges thereof with    -   a sole such that the sole has        -   a set of two groups of ridges wherein each ridge in a group            is separated from another ridge in the group by a depression            there between and    -   each of the two groups of ridges is further subdivided by a        right and left set of ridges thereby forming a total of four        ridge sub-groups having a proximal cavity near at least one        ridge thereof.

In another aspect, a proximal cavity each near staggered ridges left toright.

In another aspect, a proximal cavity each near staggered ridges right toleft.

An article of clothing comprising:

-   -   a shoe having side material and front and back materials        integrated along edges thereof with    -   a sole such that the sole has        -   a set of two groups of ridges wherein each ridge in a group            is separated from another ridge in the group by a depression            there between and wherein each ridge has a cavity therein.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and notto limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1A presents a side view of an embodiment of the improved shoetaught herein. FIG. 1B presents a bottom view of the pattern of a soleof an embodiment of the improved shoe taught herein. FIG. 1C presents abottom view of the pattern of a sole of another embodiment of theimproved shoe taught herein.

FIG. 2A presents a front view of the closing device that protects theweight slabs comprising steel bars or dummies from unexpectedly exitingthe cavities thereof. FIG. 2B present a cross section view of thecovering of the cavities using the closing device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a transverse sole shoe showing howthe treads comprise a forward set of treads and a rearward set oftreads.

FIG. 4 presents a bottom view of a partial sole shoe showing how thetread comprise a forward set of treads and a rearward set of treads.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded closeup perspective view of the insertion of aweighted slab, steel bar or dummy slab into a cavity in a shoe.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”,“lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in eachfigure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressedor implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

Weighted Shoe General Concept

FIG. 1A presents a side view of an embodiment of the improved shoetaught herein. An improved shoe 1 is shown having an athletic wear shapewith laces 6 in the front, a rubber sole 7 and athletic styling; thereare also additional features of an improved weight system as discussedbelow in two embodiments. A series of square or rectangular shapedcavities 2 perforate the sole 7 in two different fashions depending uponthe type of effect the user wants to obtain. The first of these providesa staggered weight disposition to promote an effective running tread.The second of these has a uniform weighting disposition that evenlydistributes weight across the surface of the show. These will bediscussed later with reference to FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C.

The shoe 1 has two sets of gripping surfaces integrated with the sole 7separated by a curved arch 8 there between. In order to form workingtreads for the Weighted Shoe taught herein, their are surfaces formed bya set of ridges and valleys that provide gripping action for the user.It should be apparent that the sole 7 of the shoe 1 culminates in aseries of ridges that alternates between a ridge 4 and a valley 5 and soon thereby providing an excellent gripping surface between succeedingridges 4. In order to facilitate rigorous muscle training and orexercise, a weight 3 is placed within one or more of the cavities 2. Adummy weight (not shown) comprising a rectangular or square longitudinalpiece of durable rigid plastic is optionally placed in cavities 2 in theevent that one does not want to use a given cavity 2.

Partial Sole Shoe First Exemplary Embodiment

In particular, if a user wants to receive a staggered running assistantor training distribution of weight then he or she opts for the staggeredor partial sole type of shoe embodiment. In this embodiment, shown inFIG. 1B, weight is distributed partially across the sole in a partialtread beginning from one side of the shoe to the almost the midpoint ofthe shoe; a user selectively inserts weights in cavities on either sideof the shoe and down the length of the shoe thereby providingtherapeutic and resistance training characteristics. As an example, thefirst weight 10 and cavity 12 is on the left side in the figure, then alittle further back along the shoe's length the next weight 11 andcavity 12 is on the right side, then a little further back along theshoe's length the next weight 10 and cavity 12 is located on the leftside and so on. In this manner, as one proceeds longitudinally down theshoe whether forwards or backwards thereon, the cavities containing theweight alternate between being on the right then on the left, or theleft then on the right side depending on where you start.

It should also be apparent that this has created a series of staggeredridges or treads running approximately halfway transversely across thebottom of the shoe from either side and staggered in right to left andback again fashion. These ridges have nearby hollowed out portions orcavities 12 in the sole for insertion of the weights 10, 11. A broaderversion of this embodiment shown in connection with FIG. 4 has a dualsequence or couple of partial treads that extend in two sets of treadsonly a portion of the way across the underside of the shoe. Each coupleof treads has a tread extending from a side of the shoe to almost themidpoint of the shoe and then a corresponding tread from the other sideof the shoe to almost the midpoint of the shoe opposite the first tread.Each of the partial treads so constructed is alternatively filled withrubber or similar material or forms a cavity for insertion of weightedmaterial such as ‘steel bars’ or dummy bars.

Transverse Shoe Another Exemplary Embodiment

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 1C, weight is distributed evenlylongitudinally from one side of the shoe to another. Thus, the cavity 2has an opening on one side of the shoe as it perforates the entire sole7 and emerges at another opening of the other side of the shoe. Anoblong flat rectangular slab of weighted material is inserted withineach cavity or only in those so desired by the user; these slabs are‘steel bars’ in an exemplary embodiment. An optional embodiment has eachcavity where a weight is not in place filled with a similarly shaperigid plastic to provide sufficient structural support to the shoeridges for proper use with more or less weights.

Finally, four closing devices 9, two to a side are utilized by the userto encase the weight(s) and or dummy(s) therein for use during runningor similar exercise. These closing devices have arrowhead ends 14 thatare formed at either end of the closing device. The arrowheads 14 aredesigned to be placed within a small cavity or notch 15 shown in FIG. 2within the first cavity and last cavity of the front and back sets ofcavities on either side.

Weight Securing Mechanism

FIG. 2A shows the front of the rectangular closing device having threenotches at the top. FIG. 2B shows how the arrowhead 14 shape at eitherend of each closing device 9 fits into a small notch 15 within the sidesedges that form the first and last cavity at either end of a set ofcavities whether forward or at the back of the shoe shown in the drawingfigure. Now it is time to discuss the various configurations possiblewith regards to the novelties taught herein.

Types of Weighted Shoes

Thus, there are two basic types of Weighted Shoes taught herein; namely,a shoe having weights that extend across the entire sole of the shoe,otherwise known as a ‘Transverse Sole’ weight shoe, and a shoe havingweights distributed on two sides of the shoe distributed only through apart of the sole, otherwise known as a ‘Partial Sole’ shoe. The WeightedShoe as taught herein admits several different versions each of atransverse sole and of partial sole type of shoe as described below.

Transverse Sole Shoe—General

First, in the Transverse Sole a user can select between a first versionhaving cavities distributed through the shoe and a version with weightsdistributed in only a some of the proposed cavities of the first versionof the shoe. In this latter type, the other cavities where weights arenot situated would be filled with material identical to the solematerial, typically a rubber or similar substance. The particular choiceof which cavity is filled with rubber and which is open for insertion ofa steel weight is based on the choice of the implementation atmanufacture. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a transverse sole shoeshowing how the five treads 16 comprise a forward set of treads and thefive treads 17 comprise a rearward set of treads. The particular numberof treads and their unique fascia are unique to the implementation. Eachof the treads so disposed extend across the bottom of the shoe from oneside to another of the shoe thereby forming transverse treads havingnearby cavities for insertion of a weighted slab 3 such as a steel bar.Of course, in the transverse type having only some of the treads havingnearby cavities for insertion of steel bars only a portion of the treadshave cavities nearby.

Partial Sole Shoe—General

Next, in the Partial Sole a user can select between a first versionhaving cavities distributed throughout both sides of the shoe and aversion with cavities for weights distributed in only some of theproposed cavities of the first version of the partial sole shoe. In thislatter type, the other cavities where weights are not situated would befilled with material identical to the sole material, typically a rubberor similar substance. The particular choice of which cavity is filledwith rubber and which is open for insertion of a steel weight is basedon the choice of the implementation at manufacture. FIG. 4 illustrates abottom view of a partial sole shoe showing how the five treads 18, 20comprise forward sets of treads and the five treads 19, 21 comprise arearward set of treads. The particular number of treads and their uniquefascia are unique to the implementation. Each of the treads so disposedextend across a portion of the shoe bottom from one side of the shoe toalmost the center of the bottom of the shoe thereby forming partialtreads having cavities nearby each for insertion of a weighted slab 3such as a steel bar. Of course, in the partial type having only some ofthe treads having nearby cavities for insertion of steel bars only someof the treads have cavities.

In order to understand the differences between the partial sole andtransverse sole weight distribution possibilities, one must understandthe following. First, the partial sole version of the shoe presents theuser a unique ability to create a counter balancing type of distributionto help the user keep balance whilst in motion. In this counterbalancing distribution, the user either selects to insert steel barsinto some of the cavities and unweighted dummy slabs in the other ones.Alternatively, the partial sole shoe is manufactured with some of thetreads having nearby cavities and other treads not having nearbycavities; an alternating sequence of cavity and filled in cavity is atypical implementation. Thus, in this implementation a given alternatingcavity represents a completely filled portion that has the surface shapeof a cavity for cosmetic purposes but is filled in with rubber orsimilar material that the sole is made from; for example tread 22 isfilled with solid rubber and does not have a nearby cavity. Thus, a usercan not at first glance tell the difference between them as it lookssimilar to the uniform distribution cavity. The other cavity on theother side of the shoe would be empty and prepared for insertion of aweighted steel bar or slab of material; for example tread 23 on theopposite side from tread 22 would have a nearby cavity for insertion ofa steel bar or weighted slab of material.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded closeup perspective view of the insertion of aweighted slab, steel bar or dummy slab into a cavity in a shoe.

Final Considerations:

The shoes herein are manufactured using any type of sole but arepreferably manufactured using soles using rubber or petroleum baseproducts that appear to have the best characteristics for a shoe of thiskind. Also, the partial sole or staggered configuration of weights 10,11 having cavities 12 do not perforate an entire shoe sole or treaddepending on the implementation; that is the cavity has only one openingon the side of the shoe and the ridge is closed at the other sidethereof; in other words, almost at the midpoint of the sole. If in analternative implementation, the cavity is above the ridge/treads in thesole, then the other end of the cavity in the midsole is sealed by thematerial of the sole therein.

Further, it should be apparent from the drawings that the cavities arelocated above the tread region; alternatively, they are located withinthe treads themselves or partially between these two; that is, directlyin the tread (ridge), above the tread (ridge) in the sole or partiallythere between the two locations; in this context inventor defines theword proximal to mean any of the aforementioned optional locations forthe cavities. Further, any of the embodiments described herein isconfigurable in all of the ridge/tread cavity location variations asdiscussed above.

Thus has been described a solution that overcomes the prior artdeficiencies described previously. Further, numerous variations could bemade to the teachings herein disclosed without departing from the spiritand scope of the inventive concepts that are delineated by theaccompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An athletic footwear comprising: a shoe havingside material and front and back materials integrated along edgesthereof with a sole such that the sole has a set of two groups of ridgeswherein each ridge in a group is separated from another ridge in thegroup by a depression there between and a ridge has a proximal cavity.2. The athletic footwear of claim 1, wherein the ridge's proximal cavityperforates from one side of the sole to the other.
 3. The athleticfootwear of claim 1, wherein the ridge's proximal cavity has an openingon only one side of the sole.
 4. The athletic footwear of claim 1,wherein the ridge's proximal cavity has two openings one on a side ofthe sole and another on another side of the sole.
 5. The athleticfootwear of claim 1, wherein the ridge extends from one side of the shoeto another side of the shoe.
 6. The athletic footwear of claim 1,wherein the ridge extends from one side of the shoe to a midpoint of theshoe.
 7. The athletic footwear of claim 1, further comprising: a slab ofweight for insertion in a cavity of the ridge such that the slab iscompletely enclosed inside the cavity thereof.
 8. The athletic footwearof claim 1, further comprising: a slab of dummy material for insertionin a cavity of the ridge such that the slab is completely enclosedinside the cavity thereof.
 9. The athletic footwear of claim 1, whereinthe set of two ridges are further subdivided by being broken in themidpoint of the sole thereby forming a right and a left pair of forwardridges and a right and left pair of backward ridges.
 10. The athleticfootwear of claim 1, wherein the ridges each have a proximal cavitynearby.
 11. The athletic footwear of claim 1, wherein only some of theridges have a proximal cavity nearby.
 12. The athletic footwear of claim1, further comprising: a cavity closing device attached to the shoe. 13.An exercise shoe comprising: a shoe having side material and front andback materials integrated along edges thereof with a sole such that thesole has a set of two groups of ridges wherein each ridge in a group isseparated from another ridge in the group by a depression there betweenand each of the two groups of ridges is further subdivided by a rightand left set of ridges thereby forming a total of four ridge sub-groupshaving a proximal cavity near at least one ridge thereof.
 14. Theexercise shoe of claim 13, further comprising: a proximal cavity eachnear staggered ridges left to right.
 15. The exercise shoe of claim 13,further comprising: a proximal cavity each near staggered ridges rightto left.
 16. An article of clothing comprising: a shoe having sidematerial and front and back materials integrated along edges thereofwith a sole such that the sole has a set of two groups of ridges whereineach ridge in a group is separated from another ridge in the group by adepression there between and wherein each ridge has a proximal cavitytherein.